Kasumi gently pushed me away with both hands, her face flushed a deep, adorable shade of pink. She looked up at me with a shy, hesitant expression, biting her lower lip as if struggling to find the right words.
"Go take care of Tomiko first…" she murmured softly, her voice tinged with concern and a hint of lingering embarrassment. After a small pause, she added, "Tell me the truth, Jack… did you know the effect of the tea… and drank it anyway, knowing what would happen?"
I looked at her tenderly, taking her hands in mine and giving them a reassuring squeeze. I didn't want any more secrets between us. "Well… to tell you the truth," I said calmly, "it was Oba-san who gave me the tea deliberately. She wanted to seduce me that night."
"When we went inside the room, I realized what was happening… but I just didn't want her to feel awkward or ashamed. That's why I pretended not to remember everything. I wanted her to feel safe and loved, not guilty."
